Stockinette Having Folded Structure for Simplified Application

ABSTRACT

A stockinette ( 200 ), suitable for covering an appendage ( 1440 ) of a patient, includes one or more folds ( 206 ). The fold ( 206 ) can be in a length of material ( 205 ) disposed between an open end ( 204 ) and a closed end ( 203 ). Alternatively, the fold ( 880 ) can be in an optional cuff ( 860 ) formed by a section of material ( 661 ) near the open end ( 603 ). Folds can be present both in the length of material ( 205 ) and in the cuff ( 860 ) as well. The cuff ( 860 ) can be disposed atop the fold ( 206 ) in the length of material ( 205 ). The stockinette ( 200 ) enables one person to apply the stockinette ( 200 ) to an appendage ( 1440 ) with one continuous motion that expands the folds.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

This invention relates generally to a surgical stockinette that can beapplied to body appendages during medical procedures, and moreparticularly to a surgical stockinette that is easily expanded due toits folded construction.

2. Background Art

A sterile environment is critical during surgery. For this reason, apatient is generally completely covered during surgery except for theportion of the body undergoing the operation. Techniques for maintainingsterile operating environments generally require that portions of apatient that are not subject to the operation should be isolated fromthe surgical site to reduce the risk of contamination and infection.Generally a surgical drape is therefore used to isolate the surgicalsite from other parts of the patient. For example, if a person is havingan appendix removed, the person will generally be covered with asurgical drape to maintain integrity of the sterile field. A smallportion of the person's body above the appendix will be exposed throughthe drape such that it is accessible to the surgeon. Alternatively, thepatient can be covered entirely. The surgeon can then cut through eithera fenestration in the drape or through incise material in the drape toexpose the appendix region.

Matters can become complicated when operating on limbs. It may benecessary to have the person's entire leg exposed through an aperture inthe surgical drape. To help maintain a sterile operating environment, astockinette is used to cover portions of the patient's limb that is notsubject to the operating procedure.

Turning now to FIG. 1, illustrated therein is one prior art surgicalstockinette 100. The stockinette 100 is initially packaged in a rolledconfiguration, with an open end rolled back across the stockinette 100again and again to form a ring. The stockinette 100 is applied to apatient's limb 101 by inserting the limb 101 into an open end 102 of thestockinette 100. The rolled portion 103 is then unrolled across the limb101, thereby covering the limb 101.

The problem with this prior art stockinette 100 is that it istroublesome to apply. Application generally requires two people 104,105during the entire operation. A first person 104 must lift the limb 101and hold it high in the air so that the large rolled portion 103 willfit under the limb 101. Furthermore, the second person 105 must thenmake numerous unrolling motions to get the stockinette 100 on the limb101. In making these numerous unrolling motions, the second person 105has a significantly heightened risk of touching the limb 101, therebypotentially compromising the sterile field. The application of thisprior art stockinette 100 is time-consuming and cumbersome, which canresult in delaying the surgical procedure.

There is thus a need for an improved stockinette.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate viewsand which together with the detailed description below are incorporatedin and form part of the specification, serve to further illustratevarious embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages allin accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art stockinette.

FIG. 2 illustrates a general embodiment of one stockinette in accordancewith embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates one stockinette having a horizontal accordion fold inaccordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates one stockinette having a vertical accordion fold inaccordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates one stockinette having a twist fold in accordancewith embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates one stockinette having a cuff in accordance withembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates one stockinette having a cuff disposed atop a fold inaccordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates one stockinette having a cuff with a fold inaccordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates another stockinette having a cuff with a fold inaccordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates another stockinette having a cuff with a fold inaccordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method, as a flow chart, of manufacturing astockinette in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates, graphically, a method of manufacturing astockinette in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a method, as a flow chart, of applying a stockinettein accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates, graphically, a method of applying a stockinette inaccordance with embodiments of the invention.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures areillustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily beendrawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements inthe figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help toimprove understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention are now described in detail. Referring tothe drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. Asused in the description herein and throughout the claims, the followingterms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise: the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includesplural reference, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.” Relationalterms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be usedsolely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or actionwithout necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationshipor order between such entities or actions. Also, reference designatorsshown herein in parenthesis indicate components shown in a figure otherthan the one in discussion. For example, talking about a device (10)while discussing figure A would refer to an element, 10, shown in figureother than figure A.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a stockinette that includesa length of material disposed between an open end and a closed. Thelength of material, in one embodiment, is folded such that it can beeasily expanded by straightening the folds. In one embodiment, the foldis an accordion-style fold. In another embodiment, the fold is a twistfold. The stockinette is configured to be easily applied to a patient byinserting an appendage into the stockinette and then pulling thestockinette along the appendage, thereby expanding the folds.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a stockinette that isfolded such that it only takes one major motion to apply the stockinetteto a patient's appendage. As a result, it is not necessary to hold theappendage high in the air for as long of a duration, so as to make roomfor a large rolled portion. Further, the person applying the stockinetteneed not make multiple unrolling motions during the application process,thereby reducing the risk of contaminating the sterile field.Embodiments of the present invention therefore decrease the amount oftime and labor required to apply the stockinette. Additionally, someembodiments of the invention include a cuff into which a person's handscan be inserted during application, thereby further reducing the risk ofcontaminating the surgical site.

Turning now to FIG. 2, illustrated therein is one embodiment of astockinette 200 in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Thestockinette 200 can be used in hospitals, surgery centers, and otherhealthcare facilities. Exemplary applications for stockinettes inaccordance with embodiments of the invention include orthopedicsurgeries and other general surgical procedures. Other applicationsinclude under-cast padding, covering extremities, warming extremities,and so forth. For simplicity of discussion, the stockinette described inthe various figures will be designed to cover a patient's leg. However,it will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art having thebenefit of this disclosure that the invention is not so limited.Stockinettes for other appendages, such as arms, fingers, hands, andfeet, can be configured in the same way as the illustrative embodimentdescribed herein. Further, while the stockinette shown herein includescontours, it will be clear that non-contoured, tubular stockinettes mayalso be configured as shown and described herein.

In one embodiment, the stockinette 200 is manufactured from a singlelayer of material. In such an embodiment, the stockinette 200 may bemanufactured from a single layer of a synthetic material, such aspolyester, or a single layer of natural material, such as cotton. Inanother embodiment, the stockinette 200 is manufactured from multiplelayers of material. For instance, the stockinette 200 may bemanufactured from multiple layers of one material, such as cotton orpolyester. Alternatively, the stockinette 200 can be manufactured frommultiple layers of different materials.

In one embodiment, the stockinette 200 is configured to be impervious toliquids. For example, where the stockinette 200 is manufactured frommultiple separate layers, the outer layer 201 of material may be aliquid-impervious material, such as a synthetic polymer manufactured byKraton Polymers, while the inner layer 202 is manufactured from amaterial that is more comfortable against the patient's skin, such aspolyester or cotton. In another embodiment, the stockinette may bemanufactured form a single layer of liquid-impervious material, such asa rubber or synthetic polymer material.

The stockinette 200 includes a closed end 203 and an open end 204. Theclosed end 203 is configured to cover the end of a patient's appendage.The open end 204 is configured to receive the appendage of the patient.Said differently, the patient's appendage is inserted into the open end204 until the end of the appendage meets the closed end 203 of thestockinette 200. A length of material 205 separates the open end 204 andthe closed end 203.

In accordance with one embodiment, the length of material 205 includes afold 206, which is shown generally in FIG. 2 as a rectangle. The fold206 allows the stockinette 200 to be packaged in a compactconfiguration, yet be applied in a single sweeping motion that causesthe fold to expand, thereby allowing a majority of the length ofmaterial 205 to cover the patient's appendage. This reduces the risk ofsurgical site contamination when compared to prior art stockinettes, asthere are fewer major motions along the appendage. Additionally,embodiments of the present invention save time during application inthat fewer people and motions are required during application.

The fold 206 can be expanded by pulling the open end 204 away from theclosed end, thereby allowing the length of material 205 to expand. Inone embodiment, the fold 206 is an accordion fold. In anotherembodiment, the fold 206 is a twist fold. Where the fold 206 is anaccordion fold, the fold 206 can be aligned horizontally or verticallyas viewed in FIG. 2. For example, in one embodiment the fold 206 can beoriented along a reference line 207 defined between the closed end 203and the open end 204. In another embodiment, the fold 206 can beoriented askew relative to the reference line 207, such as substantiallyperpendicular with the reference line 207. The term “substantially” isused because it will be rare in practice to have a perfectly orthogonalrelationship. The fold 206 may be non-perpendicular with the referenceline 207 by a few degrees, but will still be substantiallyperpendicular.

Turning now to FIG. 3, illustrated therein is an embodiment of astockinette 300 that includes an accordion fold 306. The stockinette 300is shown in a sectional view in FIG. 3.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the accordion fold 306 is oriented alongthe reference line 307 defined between the closed end 303 and the openend 304. When applied to a patient, the accordion fold 306 is expandableby pulling the open end 304 away from the closed end 303, therebyunfolding the length of material 305 disposed between the open end 304and the closed end 303. In one embodiment, the majority of the materialforming the stockinette 300 is captured within the accordion fold 306.

The accordion fold 306 can take different shapes. In one embodiment, theaccordion fold will include at least twenty-five folds, with each foldhaving a width 330 of two inches or less. For example, if thestockinette 300 is to be used with a person's leg, and the overallstockinette 300 is four feet in length, the accordion fold 306 may havebetween thirty and fifty folds, with each fold having a width 330 ofbetween one-half inch and one inch.

Turning now to FIG. 4, illustrated therein is an embodiment of astockinette 400 that includes an accordion fold 406. The stockinette 400is shown in a sectional view in FIG. 4.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the accordion fold 406 is oriented askewrelative to a reference line 407 defined between the closed end 403 andthe open end 404. In FIG. 4, the accordion fold 406 is substantiallyperpendicular relative to the reference line 407. This facilitates acompact form factor from end to end.

When applied to a patient, the accordion fold 406 is expandable bypulling the open end 404 away from the closed end 403, thereby causingthe accordion fold 406 to extend in a direction substantially parallelwith the reference line 407. The length of material 405 unfolds betweenthe open end 404 and the closed end 403. As with FIG. 3, the majority ofthe material forming the stockinette 400 can be captured within theaccordion fold 406.

Turning now to FIG. 5, illustrated therein is an alternate embodiment ofa stockinette 500 in accordance with embodiments of the invention. InFIG. 5, rather than including an accordion fold, the stockinette 500includes a twist fold 506. The twist fold 506 of FIG. 5 is formed bytwisting and compressing the length of material 505, thereby compressingthe overall stockinette 500 such that it can be easily packaged andstored.

As with previous embodiments, when applied to a patient, the twist fold506 is expandable by pulling the open end 504 away from the closed end503, thereby expanding the length of material 505 disposed between theopen end 504 and the closed end 503. Also as with previous embodiments,the majority of the material forming the stockinette 500 can be capturedwithin the twist fold 506 of FIG. 5.

Turning now to FIG. 6, illustrated therein is another embodiment of astockinette 600 in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Thestockinette 600 of FIG. 6 is similar to that of FIG. 2, in that itincludes a closed end 604, an open end 603, and a length of material 605separating the two. Also, the stockinette 600 includes a fold 606, whichcan be either an accordion fold or a twist fold. In one embodiment, thefold 606 is an accordion fold, which can be oriented horizontally orvertically as the stockinette 600 is viewed in FIG. 6.

In FIG. 6, the open end 603 has been folded back over the length ofmaterial 605, thereby forming a cuff 660. In one embodiment, the cuff660 can be formed by folding a portion 661 of the length of material 605adjacent to the open end 603 back across the length of material 605 in asimple fold. In another embodiment, the cuff 660 can be formed byfolding the portion 661 of the length of material 605 adjacent to theopen end 603 back across the length of material 605 in a rolled fold orstacked fold.

When a cuff 660 is created by folding the open end 603 back across thelength of material 605, an opening 662 is created that is distinct fromthe open end 603. The cuff 660 extends back over the length of material605 from the opening 662 towards the closed end 604, as the portion 661of the length of material is atop the remainder of the length ofmaterial 605. The portion 661 of the length of material can pass atopthe fold 606, or it may stop short of the fold 606. For example, wherethe cuff 660 is created with a simple fold, the cuff 660 may extendacross the fold 606. Where the cuff 660 is created with a rolled fold orstacked fold, the cuff 660 can extend across the fold 606 or stop beforethe fold 606.

The inclusion of a cuff 660 can be advantageous in that the hands of theperson applying the stockinette 600 should generally not touch thepatient during application. The inclusion of a cuff 660 permits theperson applying the stockinette 600 to place their hands into the cuff660 during application, thereby helping to maintain sterility.

Turning now to FIG. 7, illustrated therein is a stockinette 700 having acuff 760 that extends over the fold 706 in the length of material 705.By having the cuff 760 extend over the fold 706, which may be either ofan accordion fold or a twist fold, the cuff 760 helps to maintain theintegrity of the fold 706 during storage and transport. In thisillustrative embodiment, the cuff 760 can be formed by simply foldingdown a portion 761 of the length of material 705 so as to cover andsecure the fold 706.

Note that the cuffs of stockinettes as described herein may also includefolds. For example, the cuff can include the primary or only fold, withthe length of material remaining substantially flat. Alternatively, boththe length of material and the cuff can include folds.

Turning now to FIG. 8, illustrated therein is one embodiment of astockinette 800 where the cuff 860 includes a fold 880. The fold 880 inthe cuff 860 in the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 8 is an accordionfold, although it will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the arthaving the benefit of this disclosure that the invention is not solimited. Other types of folds could be substituted for the accordionfold 880 of FIG. 8.

Additionally, the fold 880 in the cuff 860 may be the only fold in thestockinette 800. Alternatively, an optional fold 806 may also beincluded in the length of material 805 in addition to the fold 880 inthe cuff 860. For example, it can be advantageous to only include onefold, be it the fold 880 in the cuff 860 or the optional fold 806 in thelength of material 805, as the risk of a person applying the stockinette800 inserting their hands into the wrong portion of material is reduced.

Note that just as the fold (206) along the length of material (205) cantake various forms, so too can the fold in the cuff. For example,turning to FIG. 9, illustrated therein is a stockinette 900 where thecuff 960 includes an accordion fold 980 that is oriented horizontally.Turning to FIG. 10, illustrated therein is a stockinette 1000 having acuff 1060 that includes an accordion fold 1080 that is orientedvertically. The stockinettes of FIGS. 9 and 10 can further includeoptional second folds along their lengths, as shown. Note also that thecuffs can cover the entirety of the stockinette, or leave a portion ofthe stockinette uncovered, thereby allowing a person applying thestockinette to cover a portion of a person's appendage beforedisengaging the various folds.

Turning now to FIGS. 11 and 12 together, illustrated therein is onemethod 1100 for manufacturing a stockinette in accordance withembodiments of the invention. A flow chart of the method 1100 is shownin FIG. 11, while the method 1100 is shown graphically in FIG. 12. Itwill be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefitof this disclosure that the various folds and various stockinettesdescribed herein can be manufactured in a variety of ways. Theillustrative method of FIGS. 11 and 12 is but one example.

In one embodiment, an expanded stockinette 1200 having an open end 1203and a closed end 1204, each being separated from the other by a lengthof material 1205, is provided at step 1101. A rigid insert support 1250,which may or may not be collapsible by a spring-actuated mechanism 1251or other folding, collapsible structure, is inserted into thestockinette 1200 at step 1101. Among other things, the rigid insertsupport 1250 helps the stockinette 1200 hold its shape during thefolding process. The rigid insert support 1250 can also hold in placeinner layers of the stockinette 1200 where the stockinette 1200 is amultilayer stockinette and the layers are not attached to each other.The rigid insert support 1250 can also provide a snag-free surface forthe inner layer of the stockinette 1200.

At optional step 1102, a cuff can be formed by folding the open end 1204back across the length of material 1205. In one embodiment, the cuffwill be placed atop the fold 1206 in the length of material 1205. Wherethis is the case, step 1102 can occur after step 1103. However, wherethe cuff is not to cover the fold 1206, step 1102 can occur eitherbefore step 1103 or after step 1103. Where the cuff includes anadditional fold, or where the cuff includes the only fold, the cuff canfurther be folded at this step. Another insert (not shown) may be placedatop the length of material 1205 and within the cuff to facilitate thecuff-folding process. As noted above, in one embodiment the cuff fold isan accordion fold.

At step 1103, a fold 1206 is applied to the length of material 1205.Where the rigid insert support 1250 is collapsible, the outer surface ofthe rigid insert support 1250 can be used to help in the foldingprocess. As noted above, the fold 1206 can be an accordion fold or atwist fold. Further, the rigid insert support 1250 may be turnedvertically for multi-layer stockinettes, as gravity will help to keepthe closed end of the inner layer and the closed end of the outer layertogether where those layers are not fully attached together. Ifnecessary, the two open ends of the layers can be attached together atthis step as well, to discourage any unwanted independent movementbetween layers. Note that the stockinette 1200 can be inside out on therigid insert support 1250 as well.

Turning now to FIGS. 13 and 14, illustrated therein is one method 1300for applying a stockinette in accordance with embodiments of theinvention. A flow chart of the method 1300 is shown in FIG. 13, whilethe method 1300 is shown graphically in FIG. 14. It will be clear tothose of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosurethat the stockinette 1400 of FIG. 14, as well as the other stockinettesdescribed herein, can be applied in a variety of ways. One advantageembodiments of the present invention have over prior art stockinettes isthat they can be applied by one person in one simple, continuous motion,as is shown in FIG. 14. However, the illustrative method 1300 of FIGS.13 and 14 is but one example of an application method.

At step 1301, an expandable, surgical stockinette 1400 having an openend 1404 and a closed end 1403, each being separated by a length ofmaterial 1405, is provided. The stockinette 1400, in one embodiment,includes a fold 1406 along the length of material. The fold 1406 can beeither of an accordion fold or a twist fold. Further, the stockinette1400 may optionally include a cuff 1460, which may additionally includea fold. In one embodiment, no fold will be present in the length ofmaterial 1405. Instead, the cuff 1460 will include one or more folds.

At step 1302, the stockinette 1400 is placed on a person's appendage.This can be accomplished by at least partially inserting the appendage1440 into an opening 1462 of the stockinette 1400. Where the stockinette1400 includes a cuff 1460, the person applying the stockinette 1400 canalso place their hands within the cuff, as shown, at this step 1302.

At step 1303, the person applying the stockinette 1400 expands thestockinette 1400 across the appendage 1440 by pulling the open end 1404along the appendage 1440, thereby expanding the fold 1406. Where thecuff 1460 includes the only fold, pulling the open end 1404 along theappendage 1440 expands the fold in the cuff.

This step 1303 may also include at least partially unfolding the cuff1460, where the cuff 1460 is designed to be at least partially unfoldedas described above. For example, where the cuff 1460 is disposed atopthe fold 1406, the person applying the cuff may optionally unfold aportion of the cuff 1460 to expose the fold 1406 prior to pulling theopen end 1404 along the appendage 1440. Once the appendage 1440 iscovered, the person applying the stockinette 1400 may further unfold thecuff 1460 to further cover the appendage 1440.

As described herein, an expandable stockinette having one or more foldsprovide a simplified application process in that one user can apply thestockinette with a single continuous motion. Further, embodiments of thepresent invention are generally less expensive to manufacture than areprior art stockinettes, as expensive adhesives or pull-tabs are notrequired.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the presentinvention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the artappreciates that various modifications and changes can be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention as set forth in theclaims below. Thus, while preferred embodiments of the invention havebeen illustrated and described, it is clear that the invention is not solimited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, andequivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by thefollowing claims. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to beregarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and allsuch modifications are intended to be included within the scope ofpresent invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, andany element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution tooccur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical,required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims.

1. An expandable surgical stockinette, comprising: a closed end; and anopen end for receiving an appendage of a patient, the open end andclosed being separated by a length of material; wherein the length ofmaterial is folded so as to be expandable by pulling the open end awayfrom the closed end, thereby unfolding the length of material.
 2. Theexpandable surgical stockinette of claim 1, wherein the length ofmaterial is folded with an accordion fold.
 3. The expandable surgicalstockinette of claim 2, wherein the accordion fold is oriented along aline defined between the closed end and the open end.
 4. The expandablesurgical stockinette of claim 2, wherein the accordion fold is askewrelative to a line defined between the closed end and the open end. 5.The expandable surgical stockinette of claim 4, wherein the accordionfold is substantially perpendicular with the line.
 6. The expandablesurgical stockinette of claim 2, wherein a portion of the length ofmaterial adjacent to the open end is folded in a rolled fold.
 7. Theexpandable surgical stockinette of claim 2, wherein an opening is formedby folding the length of the material so as to extend back over itselftowards the closed end so as to form a cuff extending from the open endtoward the closed end.
 8. The expandable surgical stockinette of claim7, wherein the cuff is disposed atop the accordion fold.
 9. Theexpandable surgical stockinette of claim 7, wherein the cuff comprisesthe accordion fold.
 10. The expandable surgical stockinette of claim 7,wherein the cuff comprises an additional accordion fold.
 11. Theexpandable surgical stockinette of claim 1, wherein the length ofmaterial is folded with a twist fold.
 12. The expandable surgicalstockinette of claim 2, wherein the length of material comprises a firstlayer and a second layer, wherein at least one of the first layer or thesecond layer is liquid impervious.
 13. A method of manufacturing afolded surgical stockinette, comprising: providing an expandedstockinette having an open end and a closed end separated by a length ofmaterial; inserting a rigid insert into the expanded stockinette; andfolding the length of material in one of an accordion fold or a twistfold.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising forming a cuff byfolding the open end back across the length of material.
 15. The methodof claim 14, further comprising disposing the cuff atop the one of theaccordion fold or the twist fold.
 16. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising applying an additional accordion fold to the cuff.
 17. Amethod of applying a surgical stockinette to a patient, comprising:providing an expandable surgical stockinette having an open end and aclosed end separated by a length of material comprising one of anaccordion fold or a twist fold; inserting an appendage of the patient inan opening of the expandable surgical stockinette; and expanding thesurgical stockinette by pulling the open end along the appendage,thereby expanding the one of the accordion fold or the twist fold. 18.The method of claim 17, wherein the expandable surgical stockinettefurther comprises a cuff, the method further comprising inserting atleast one hand into the cuff.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein theone of the accordion fold or the twist fold is the accordion fold, themethod further comprising at least partially unfolding the cuff, therebyexposing the accordion fold.